Many attribute the massive increase in work from home (WFH) to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the pandemic forced many businesses to pivot, remote office work has been trending since 2010. Even after business restrictions loosen, WFH is likely to become the new normal.
Remote Work is Trending Nationally
According to the United States Census Bureau, seven percent of American workers reported working from home at least once a week in 1997. By 2010, this percentage increased by only 2.5 percent. But as of January 2020, 36 percent of workers reported working remotely at least once a week. In December of 2020, Pew Research found that 71 percent of American employees worked from home a majority of the time and 54 percent wanted to continue the work from home lifestyle after the pandemic ended.
Technology is Driving the WFH Revolution
There have been some significant changes in technology that have driven the working from home trend. The most prominent change is improved access to cloud computing. Two years before the pandemic even started 96 percent of businesses already utilized the cloud in some capacity.
Remote software, like Microsoft Azure Active Directory, and VPNs, like Cisco AnyConnect, has made it easier for workers to access company resources from anywhere. Work collaboration applications like Microsoft Teams and Slack also offer cross-platform support from Windows OS to Mac OS and mobile devices.
Finally, video conferencing applications like Zoom and Cisco’s GoToMeeting have moved the board meeting into the digital environment. COVID-19 may have been the tipping point that drove many businesses to favor work from home, but the technological resources were already in place.
The Upside of Work from Home
There are financial benefits for both employers and employees in switching to a WFH business model. Your landlord might not like it, but you can downsize your office or get rid of it completely.
If you choose to go the WFH route, you will benefit from reduced costs associated with property management from water and electric to maintenance staff. For your employees, it will be like giving them a raise without actually giving them a raise.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spent an average of $6,488 in 2019 on automobile-related expenditures. A work from home policy could greatly reduce commuter costs and time commuting. Your employees then can spend more time with their family and save more money.
Need Help with WFH? Contact the Experts at TCI
If your company is considering moving to a work from home business model, you will need a knowledgeable IT team. The IT professionals at TCI Technologies are experts in remote software and solutions and can walk you through the process. Step by step. Contact us today.
